Sage Foundation Fly Rod Outfit Review – Advanced Fly Gear

Outfitting yourself means you end up saving some bucks unlike making separately purchasing each component of your fly fishing combo.

Sage has you in mind with the Sage Foundation 690-4 Fly Rod Outfit (6wt, 9’0″, 4pc).

Quite a bang for your $$$. When it comes to its tag, you won’t find a similarly priced combo that is close to the Sage Foundation with regards to quality.

So far, this is the best fly fishing outfit worth more than the money. After sampling every aspect inside out, we assure you that you and your wallet will be pleased with the performance, quality, and durability.

Sage fly rods including the Foundation are all designed, built, and finished in Bainbridge Island, WA. Tough practices by tough people build the toughest crafting.

The Foundation rod falls in the hands of 27 expert craftsmen at the production zone before being released to the market.

Who else does this? Sage Foundation rod is a fast-action ‘magic stick’ whose blank is made from high-grade graphite.

As usual, we recommend that high-performing fly rods be versatile in their application.

This is what the Foundation is. When called upon, the rod caters for both the needs of the angler and the fish.

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Considering the fast action, the Foundation can go sub-surface with indicators and heavy nymphs if need be.

It can as well turn over the large dry flies with the droppers when grasshoppers and golden stones are flattering about.

So much to feel in the Sage Foundation Fly Rod. If you have tried it out then you know that it fishes excellently when mayflies and small caddis need to be well presented to a willing trout.

Its general construction is super-standard.

With the hard chrome snake guides, the ceramic stripper guides, and anodized aluminum reel seat, the functioning is undoubted.

For saltwater weights, the rod variation has fighting butts alongside the snub nose cork handle.

You don’t have to look as boring as a miner when on water. Sage allows complements your look with the stealth black blank that brings out the aesthetics of the fly rod.

A rugged black nylon tube keeps the Sage Foundation protected.

If you want the best fly fishing combo that will improve your fly angling game, this is it. It has an incredible ability to deliver flies with accuracy and power.

Another smooth complement to the rod is the 2200 Series die-cast fly reel that has a carbon drag.

Its large arbor is known for quickly picking up the line. Sage pairs the reel and rod with the top-selling RIO Gold fly fishing line.

Main Features of the Sage Foundation Outfit

The package comes ready to use. You only need your favorite fish and you are good to go.

Its components are the Sage Foundation Fly Rod, the Sage 2200 Series Fly Reel, a premium RIO Gold weight forward fly line, a Dacron backing, a RIO tapered leader, and a Cordura tube from Sage.

Stick here for more on each component of the Sage Foundation 690-4 Fly Rod Outfit (6wt, 9’0″, 4pc).

Sage Foundation Fly Rod Key Features

Blank – Sage uses the Graphite IIIe technology to shape the powerful and durable rod. The technology combines glass scrims within the graphite layers to create a lightweight taper and design. The technology also improves connectedness and smoothness and allows an angler to make accurate and longer casts.

Guides – The ceramic stripping guides make the rod functional and stylish. They offer dependable durability and performance that has been accepted by the industry.

Had chrome snake guides have been time-proven and accepted by the industry. Snake guides provide very minimal resistance allowing the fly line to move effortlessly through the rod.

Rod Action – Sage Foundation rods are fast action rods with less flex. This requires the user to have excellent timing skills and techniques.

Such rods have good stiffness to help bring in fish quickly and is great when playing a larger fish. It casts well in wind but can be difficult for beginners who haven’t mastered its use.

Ability Level – This fly rod is not restricted to anglers of one level. It can be used by beginners, intermediate and expert anglers. However, novices will need more practice to master timing skills and techniques before the rod can feel easier to use.

Sage 2200 Series Fly Reel Key Features

Die-cast Aluminum – Sage 2200 Series fly reels are made from die-cast aluminum that is powder-coated making them have less shiny appearance than the machined aluminum reels.

The reel weighs a little more, is strong but not as much as any that is machined. Strength isn’t an issue for pike and trout fly fishing.

Large Arbor – The large arbor increases the retrieve speed and line pick up. It has a concave spool that increases the strength, rigidity, and capacity.

Drag – A fully sealed carbon drag system is probably one of the nicest you can find on a reel. The knob is large and very easy to turn. As you apply pressure, it doesn’t very tough to tighten.

It applies strong yet smooth pressure and with the numbers on the knob, you can clearly see as it sets. Sage insists that this type of drag doesn’t wear as plastic or cork drags.

Changeable Retrieve – Sage Series is set for left hand retrieve but can be changed to the right and vice versa. It is as simple as you think using the spool from the back and to turn around the drag knob. No prior experience is needed.

RIO Gold Fly Line Key Features

Rio Gold weight forward fly lines have a unique taper design that gives them exceptional loop stability when casting for distance. The special profile allows the road to easily load at close range.

Its front taper delivers the perfect presentation for any size of flies. Sage thought it wise to pair the Foundation with an all-round fly line that will be usable in all fishing situations.

RIO is a household name famous for its high-quality fly lines. Thanks to the technologies used during manufacture to make it a part of the Sage Foundation 690-4 Fly Rod Outfit (6wt, 9’0″, 4pc).

MaxFloatTip, MaxCast, and Agent X technologies maximize performance. The XS technology helps the line to shoot further.

The line has a dual tone color for visual preference when loading the fly rod. There are welded front and back loops for easier rigging.

Other Aspects of the Sage Foundation Fly Fishing Outfit

Materials – The rod’s blank is made from Graphite and glass scrims to deliver a smooth and crisp fast action to suit most of the casting styles. The reel is made from powdered die-cast aluminum to give an attractive and unique frame and spool.

Handles – For the 6wt rod, the handles are snub-nose half wells. This applies to other lighter Foundation rods. Heavy ones from the 7wt have the snub-nose half wells and a fighting butt. The handles have no ergonomic or cosmetic blemishes.

Reel Seat – The Foundation features a rod with an uplocking black anodized aluminum reel seat to match the color of the blank and to minimize weathering and wear. With a single uplocking component, it holds a freshwater reel in place. The reel seat is quiet yet functional.

Rod Length – Not so much to choose from the models here. All Sage Foundation Fly Rods measure 90 feet. This is the standard length of fly rods making it usable by both young and older anglers.

Drag System – The carbon sealed carbon drag system is taking over the steelhead sector. This drag system doesn’t have a lot of starting tension but gives enough final stopping-power. Since it is sealed, it blocks sand, grit and other inhibitors that can hinder its performance.

Weight – The Sage Foundation 6wt 9ft 4pc fly rod weighs 3.25 oz. The Sage 2250 fly reel weighs 5.1 ounces on average. From the individual weights, the outfit is lightweight.

Capacity – A close look and test of the reel give capacity and backing of WF6+ 100 yards 20lbs.

Rod Tube – Sage includes a premium Cordura rod tube in the package to protect your Foundation in between the travels and trips. You can wipe off or spot the dirt and dust to ensure the tube remains clean.

Warranty – The Foundation is backed by a lifetime warranty which is issued to the original owner of the outfit. For any defects in craftsmanship or any issues that need repair or servicing, as long as the terms and conditions of the warranty are adhered to, the manufacturer will help.

Customer Thoughts on the Foundation Fly Outfit

The graphite IIIe technology is absolutely amazing. Just like the Motive rod, the Foundation is epic on a trout stream and is capable of throwing the dries well and the heavy nymph rigs too.

Its tip has a good amount of sensitivity and with less flex, it allows you to focus as you make casts. With good timing, it doesn’t take long to get a catch.

Sage finally hit a home run with the grip and the sleek finish making the Sage Foundation 690-4 Fly Rod Outfit (6wt, 9’0″, 4pc) a thing for grabs. Anglers with big hands have something to hang onto.

It loads up well at both close and distant range. Nothing much to say but this fly rod is spot on.

Pros – Things that shine on the Foundation Outfit​

• Lightweight combo
• Comes with a Cordura rod tube
• Backed by a lifetime warranty
• An all-round fly rod
• Fast action to suit all conditions
• The sealed carbon drag system

Cons – Things that are not so cool!

• The price can be a complete turn off for those on a tight budget
• No ferrule dots for alignment
• No hook-keeper ring

FAQ’S – Questions about the Sage Foundation Outfit

Q) What is the type of handle on the 7wt 9ft 4pc fly rod?
A) This one has a snub-nose half wells rod with fighting but since it is a heavier model

Q) What is the essence of the powder coating on the reel?
A) The powder coating finish makes the reel durable and corrosion resistant

Q) How many loops that the paired fly line have for rigging?
A) The RIO Gold WF fly line has two welded loops- one at the front and the other at the back

Q) Can the outfit be used in saltwater?
A) Yes, the anodized reel seat on the rod and the powder finish on the reel protect the combo against rust and corrosion.

Q) Is there a 1ft rod that comes with any of the Foundation outfits?
A) No, all rod models are 9ft long

Final Verdict – Best Choice for Young Anglers

Taking everything into account, the Sage Foundation Outfit is one of the best fly fishing combos with fantastic things to offer though at a challenging price. Sage didn’t have to push the bounds of performance, it bows at excellence in greatness at the price point the Foundation outfit comes at.

Anyway, you will love its aesthetics and performance. The rod, reel, and fly line perform remarkably well. The Foundation rod just like the X will give you more distance and a good feel up close.

Whether you own it or not, but have used the Foundation outfit, the blemishes are not so much of a concern. For instance, you can set up the 4-piece rod without difficulty even as it lacks ferule dots.

If you don’t like it at all then your demands and specificity in hard-core requirements and preferences must be outrageous. An angler who is put in front of a fish will not have this rod get in their way.

The price point isn’t anything if you are looking for a lifetime masterpiece to use and pass on to your generation. Preorder and make a date with the Sage Foundation 690-4 Fly Rod Outfit (6wt, 9’0″, 4pc) to confirm that it is never about the price sometimes. Expensive Performance for sure!

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